American Cheese Month (ACM)

American Cheese Month is a celebration of North America’s delicious and diverse cheeses, and the farmers, cheesemakers, retailers, cheesemongers, and chefs who bring them to your table.

When?

October 1-31 (annually)

Where?

Wherever there is cheese and wherever there are cheese lovers. American Cheese Month is your chance to spread the word, experience great American cheeses, and help support and promote great cheese, local communities, and passionate producers.

Who?

Everyone who loves cheese! Get creative – we’ve got some ideas to get you started:

Cheesemakers: Host a special event or tour at your farm, facility, tasting room, onsite restaurant, or retail outlet; work with local retailers to reach consumers; create special recipes and share on your website; offer special packages and pairings.

Retailers & Cheesemongers: Take part in the American Cheese Month Passport Program; promote your American cheeses with special offers and tasting menus; offer in-store tastings, events, or education; bring in producers to meet directly with your customers; offer an American Cheese Month Groupon.

Chefs & Restaurateurs: Feature an American artisan cheese plate on your menu in October; incorporate American cheese into special recipes; invite local cheesemakers (and brewers/wineries) to organize a special tasting evening at your restaurant.

Regional Cheese Guilds: Hold a “Meet the Cheesemaker” event, where your local producers can meet consumers and share samples of their cheeses.

Cheese Enthusiasts: Hold an at-home tasting or pairing evening with friends and share photos on our Facebook page; try making cheese at home; develop recipes using your favorite American cheeses; take part in ACM events in your area.

Media: Feature local cheesemakers and independent cheese shops in your area; highlight cheese-related stories throughout the month, try new American cheeses and blogging your tasting notes.

Other Producers: Brewers: Host a special event at your brewery by bringing in cheeses from local producers; Gourmet Food Producers: Pair American cheeses with your crackers, breads, condiments, and spreads; Wineries: Offer a special pairing menu in October featuring American cheesemakers in your region

Why?

To recognize and raise awareness of the quality and diversity of American cheeses

To support and promote great cheese, local foods, family farms, traditional methods, and sustainable production models
To generate funding for the American Cheese Education Foundation – if you hold an event, please consider donating a portion of proceeds to help the American cheese community educate its members and the public. Your donation helps ensure the highest quality, safest, most wholesome, and diverse cheeses can reach consumers via well-trained and certified folks behind your local cheese counter.